echo This article contains a discussion about mental health. The opinions and views expressed by the author are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Reading discretion is advised.
Globally, it is estimated that 970 million people were living with mental health issues in 2019. Mental health encompasses a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, profoundly influencing thoughts, feelings, and actions. While mental health issues have persisted over time, the recognition and support for these challenges vary significantly, especially across universities. Mental health issues are a growing concern that is not being addressed enough by universities. As a result, university communities tend to avoid talking about this issue, which causes further damage to one’s mental health.
To start, universities must prioritise initiatives aimed at raising awareness about mental health issues and reducing associated stigmas, especially public stigma. Stigma is characterised by negative attitudes, attributions, and generalised stereotypes, which are fuelled by fear of discrimination, limited understanding of mental health, and distorted media representations. This stigma not only hinders help-seeking behaviours but also contributes to a culture of silence and shame surrounding mental health concerns among students. By fostering an environment of acceptance and support, universities can ensure that students feel empowered to seek assistance without fear of judgement or shame. Despite these barriers, mental health services can offer vital resources and support to empower students to take control of their mental well-being. As such, universities should adopt mental health facilities to raise awareness of mental health issues to support distressed students by addressing stigma, lowering suicidal ideation, and promoting mental well-being.
The transition to university is identified as a critical period where university students are considered particularly vulnerable to suicide risk. Suicidal attempts are significantly influenced by factors such as psychological well-being and distress. Furthermore, research reveals that, during the student’s time at university, 14% reported suicidal ideation. These findings suggest the need to expand mental health services for this population. Cognitive vulnerability factors, including negative perception, excessive burdens, and loneliness, emerge as significant reasons for depression, emphasizing the crucial role of psychological processes in elevating the risk. These signs show that certain personal preexisting conditions can make someone more likely to develop or worsen mental health problems, especially when they are stressed out by things like starting university or peer pressure. The fear of potential social consequences may raise the adverse impact of stress on mental health and suicide risk.
To address these concerns, mental health-promoting approaches within university settings could focus on enhancing young people’s self-esteem, alleviating psychological distress, and promoting subjective well-being. Implementing strategies to address stress, along with public health initiatives directly targeting and reducing mental health stigma, holds the potential to reduce suicide risk among university students. While mental health facilities can be instrumental, it is essential to recognise that they should be part of a broader mental health support system on campus. Creating a culture of openness, awareness, and understanding around mental health is crucial for fostering a supportive environment for all university students.
Stigma is a powerful social process characterized by labelling, stereotyping, and separation, leading to unfair discrimination against, and exclusion of individuals. Mental health condition-related stigma is stigma related to living with specific mental health conditions. Such stigma may be experienced in all spheres of life; however, stigma in tertiary education is particularly serious, negatively affecting people seeking help at a time when they are at their most vulnerable due to fear of being labelled or treated differently from society. Consequently, stigma poses a hindrance to individuals seeking treatment and striving for a healthy quality of life. According to a survey by Vidourek and Burbage (2019), participants noted widespread negativity about mental health due to inadequate information, contributing to mental health stigma. Although there is no specific data directly demonstrating the existence of stigma surrounding mental health, the focus should be on perceived stigma rather than public stigma. This is crucial because what people believe matters significantly. Pompeo-Fargnoli (2020) states that, if people believe that there is stigma around them, then it is going to cause them to conform to perceived societal beliefs which will cause more damage to internal mental health standards. And based on research conducted by Yu et al. (2021), the overall prevalence of self-stigma was 75%, which shows how serious the perceived stigma is.
Instead of being influenced by societal stigma, these individuals rightfully feel angered by the discrimination they face. This reaction empowers them to reshape their roles within the mental health system, becoming more active participants in their treatment plans and often advocating for improvements in service quality. On the other hand, there are a number of people who do get influenced by the pressure and end up feeling helpless as they do not get any support from people around them. This is where having mental health facilities readily available on campus makes it more convenient.
Developing feasible mental health care in universities is essential to decrease stigmatization and promote the normalization of mental health. Research by Baik et al. (2019) indicated that more than a quarter of students seek efficient support services within universities rather than searching for help outside, desiring understanding professionals, such as psychologists or counsellors, with whom they can discuss concerns without fear of judgment. This is because, instead of having to go out of their way to seek help from professionals, having the facilities readily available on campus would make it more convenient for them. Sometimes, counselling services outside of universities have lengthy waiting lists for public care, leaving these students without the immediate mental health support necessary. Therefore, having mental health facilities on campus is more effective. Overcoming mental health stigma also involves raising awareness. Educational anti-stigma interventions, such as what Shahwan et al. (2020) have suggested, are aimed at correcting misinformation and challenging negative attitudes, presenting factual information about stigmatized conditions, and replacing inaccurate stereotypes with the truth. Stigma reduction efforts are most effective in increasing help-seeking behaviour among university students when they address personally held stigmatizing attitudes rather than perceptions of others’ beliefs.
It is important to highlight how mental health facilities on campus can support students in their personal growth and journey toward self-acceptance within the student community. Promoting personal growth and self-acceptance within the realm of mental health initiates a positive social movement centered around self-love, nurturing resilience, and holistic well-being which ultimately leads to a stronger student community. By offering accessible and comprehensive resources, universities empower students to confront mental health challenges. A study conducted by Duraku et al. (2023) assessed the mental well-being and barriers to seeking psychological help among 234 students aged 18 to 24 at Kosovo University. Findings reveal that high levels of anxiety, depression, stress, and insufficient mental health resources, greatly affected academic success. The research underscores the need for enhanced mental health services in educational institutions to improve overall well-being. When students feel supported and understood, they are more likely to engage in self-reflection and seek assistance when needed. Only once students are able to manage their mental health can they begin to improve various areas of their life, such as academics. Having good mental health does not just make you feel better but do better too. This helps create a feeling of belonging among students, showing that taking care of our mental health is just as important as our physical well-being.
By failing to provide essential mental health support for students with mental issues, universities neglect their fundamental role of offering accessible services. Quality supportive services would empower students to actively engage in their academic pursuits. These services can also prevent serious problems like suicide, decrease stigmatization, and lead to improved overall health, as stated above. Through therapy, counselling, and educational workshops, students can develop a deeper understanding of themselves, and only then will they be willing to receive the help they need and be able to change for the better.
While often intended to aid individuals, mental health services could inadvertently discourage people from seeking support. In today’s world, having mental health services readily available might make people think that mental health problems are not really that serious or common. This leads to a problem where mental health issues are trivialized by some. Through casual remarks and societal attitudes, serious mental health concerns are often brushed off as trivial or part of daily life.
However, this trivialization has a detrimental effect: it discourages individuals from seeking the help they desperately need. When mental health issues are treated as commonplace, individuals may downplay their own struggles, convincing themselves that their symptoms are not serious enough to warrant professional intervention. Research by Pavelko and Myrick (2019) explains that within certain communities, there exists a dangerous belief that symptoms of mental health disorders, such as OCD, are actually beneficial or indicative of strength. This misguided perspective leads individuals to trivialize their struggles, ultimately deterring them from seeking professional help. Consequently, they risk overlooking potentially serious diagnoses and denying themselves the opportunity for proper treatment and support, perpetuating a cycle of needless suffering and missed opportunities for healing.
Nonetheless, this trivialization should not be a barrier. Trivialization means downplaying the importance of issues. Normalization, on the other hand, is about accepting specific behaviors as the norm in society. Mental health facilities can pave the way for normalization, where previously uncommon behaviors become the new standard. This is because when universities provide proper understanding and awareness to students about mental health and implement mental health facilities in universities, normalization will follow. As a result of normalization, peer support and community engagement will also start to rise. In these instances, individuals give and receive mutual support, empathizing with each other’s struggles and offering encouragement based on their own experiences rather than trivializing people’s conditions. This fosters a sense of connection and belonging, crucial for mental well-being and resilience. Moreover, peer support groups empower participants to actively engage in their recovery journey by sharing insights and contributing to collective healing.
In conclusion, fostering mental health awareness and establishing well-equipped mental health facilities within universities are crucial steps toward creating a supportive and conducive environment for students. The well-being of individuals is integral to their academic success, personal development, and overall life satisfaction. By promoting awareness, universities can reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues and encourage understanding as well as self-acceptance. Moreover, investing in mental health facilities ensures that students have access to timely and effective support. This proactive approach not only addresses immediate concerns but also contributes to long-term mental well-being and reduces suicide risks. Universities play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their students, and prioritizing mental health aligns with a commitment to holistic education. As we acknowledge the complexities of modern academic life, it becomes imperative for institutions to recognize the diverse mental health needs of their student body. By integrating mental health awareness initiatives and providing accessible facilities, universities contribute to the creation of a compassionate and inclusive community. Ultimately, the promotion of mental health in higher education is an investment in the resilience, success, and happiness of individuals, fostering a generation of well-rounded, empowered, and thriving individuals.
Note: If ever in need of emotional support, Sunway’s 24/7 mental health crisis hotline can be contacted at +603-29350042.
Written by: Tisyha
Edited by: Ashley
